Coventry City might have slipped up at residence to Southampton final Saturday however they’re nonetheless in pole place for promotion with eight rounds of video games remaining in the Championship season.
Frank Lampard’s facet discover themselves seven factors away from the chasing pack – who’re at present in a remarkably tight battle for second spot.
Middlesbrough are at present in that place, though they’ve slipped up in their final two video games, each at residence. They had been crushed by Charlton earlier than being pegged again late on in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City.
The chasers are Ipswich Town and Millwall, each two factors behind Boro, though Ipswich have a sport in hand. Those sides meet at Portman Road on Saturday – Middlesbrough journey to Blackburn.
It is about to be an enormous day in the battle for promotion…
Middlesbrough stuttering at residence in pursuit of promotion
It is four failures in a row to win at residence for Middlesbrough. All in opposition to sides in the underside half of the Championship desk. Chances have been created, 94 photographs taken, however simply two objectives scored in opposition to Oxford, Leicester, Charlton and Bristol City on the Riverside.
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In distinction, their final two away video games have seen them rating seven objectives in wins at Birmingham and QPR.
The distinction has been stark and so they might be glad to be again on the highway on Saturday as they head to Ewood Park. Only Sheffield Wednesday have fewer factors at residence this season than Blackburn in the second tier.
David Prutton on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast:
“With Ipswich just two points behind and holding a game in hand, it puts them firmly in the box seat in terms of chasing Middlesbrough. The focus now for Boro is on continuing to do the work required to stay where they need to be in the table.
“That additionally means they should be totally conscious of the strain coming from the groups simply behind them. Overall, this conflict with Blackburn is an enchanting match-up between two sides chasing factors for very totally different causes.”
Ipswich meet Millwall in crunch conflict
This is a big one on Saturday. Third versus fourth, the pre-season promotion favourites versus the underdogs punching above their weight to get into this place.
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Despite their place, Ipswich will nonetheless really feel like they’ve barely underperformed this season, whereas Millwall will really feel they need to be in second heading into this weekend.
Last Saturday they had been main Blackburn and heading in the direction of three factors, earlier than a controversial pink card for Zak Sturge noticed them lowered to 10 males after which slip to a 2-1 defeat.
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast seems to be forward to Ipswich vs Millwall
David Prutton on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast:
“This has the feel of a really significant game in the promotion race. Millwall have been in a position where results could have taken them as high as second, which underlines the impressive job being done. At the same time, Ipswich are building momentum and showing the consistency needed at this stage of the season.
“There is an assumption that Ipswich needs to be competing at this stage, however that doesn’t make it any simpler to realize. Getting outcomes week after week stays the important thing.
“This looks like a fascinating battle between two sides firmly in the mix, and another example of the strong competition at the top end of the table.”
Coventry watch on forward of night kick-off
And then there may be Coventry City. Favourites for promotion however on no account promoted but. They had been crushed by Southampton at residence final week to finish their six-game profitable run and face a testing journey to Swansea City on Saturday night.
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Swansea had been crushed at residence in Vitor Matos’ first sport in cost in late November, however since then their residence type has been imperious. In 10 video games since on the Swansea.com they’ve gained eight and drawn two.
Things might but take one other twist forward of the worldwide break…
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast seems to be forward to Swansea vs Coventry
David Prutton on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast:
“Coventry remain in a strong position and will be focused on maintaining the gap to the teams below them. While the title is still a target, keeping third place at arm’s length is just as important and something they are doing well.
“They had probabilities in their final sport and will have taken one thing from it, so there isn’t any sense of panic. Overall, they’ve proven a capability to reply effectively to setbacks.
“This feels like a good opportunity for Coventry to respond, and there is confidence they can get back on track.”
Predicted last Championship desk
Here is how Opta anticipate the Championship desk to look come the tip of the season. Coventry are overwhelming favourites for the title nonetheless, whereas Ipswich are simply about anticipated to pip Middlesbrough to second…
‘Expected’ Championship desk
And right here is how the Championship desk ‘ought to’ look heading into this weekend, in keeping with Opta. Ipswich can be forward of Middlesbrough, whereas Millwall are method down in ninth.
